The Bell Tower on Historic Main Street

Placerville,  "Hangtown"  California    

The Bell, placed in the tower in the plaza in 1865, was used as an alarm system to call out the firefighters. The bell was cast in England and was used as a fire alarm. The present steel structure replaced a former wooden tower in 1898. The tower was used as a viewing stand for parade judges and a turn-around for stagecoaches.This tower has watched most of Placerville's history pass beneath it for well over 100 years. It has been remodeled, relocated, and most recently, renovated. Today it proudly stands as a monument to honor our city's volunteer firemen.

The history of the Bell Tower began back in 1856. Three fires that year in April, July and August, claimed most of Placerville's business section. The need for an alarm system to call the volunteer fire department was obvious, and a bell was ordered from England. Cast in 1860, the bell arrived in Placerville in 1865. The city gave it's approval to place the bell in a tower in the plaza. All this was done at a cost of $380.00. Today, the Bell Tower serves as a gathering place for parades, celebrations, historic re-enactments and other Historic Main Street events.